LCMS World Mission joins Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., in congratulating and giving thanks for staff and missionary alumni who were recently honored by the Seminary with honorary awards and degrees. The awards and degrees were presented at the Seminary's commencement on May 20.
LCMS World Mission staff and alumni honorees included Gary Thies, who was presented with the Christus Vivit Award. Gary became the first mission development officer with LCMS World Mission in 1994. He also works with the Nebraska and Iowa West Districts. In the role of mission development office, Gary visits LCMS congregations and individuals to inform and excite them about missions and to encourage them to adopt, financially and through prayer, a specific mission project or missionary. He also presents opportunities for people to become personally involved in missions through prayer support, volunteering their skills and abilities, full-time service, gifts and offerings. Mission Central was dedicated in August 2003 and serves as the headquarters for Gary's ministry outside of Mapleton, Iowa. This past year, 40 busloads and more than 4,000 people visited Mission Central. Gary is one of the most effective faith raisers for support of mission work in the LCMS. He and his wife, Maxine, have two daughters and three grandchildren.